Best of the Best: Top Chevy Pickups Through History

US customers for decades have benefited from countless models, versions, and modifications from Dodge, Ford, and, of course, Chevrolet. Chevy has proven its ability to compete with its Detroit counterparts by producing popular trucks since 1918 (Chevrolet One-Ton), and the company is not going to stop there. As part of the global electric transition, GM has already announced the Silverado EV to compete with the Ford F-150 Lightning and RAM 1500 REV, following their long-term competition. The used car professionals from the Indy Auto Man dealership compiled the list of the best Chevrolet pickups from the 1930s to today.

This car is the epitome of style, perfectly conveying the atmosphere of its time. Chevrolet was forming a new design team that adorned the pickup truck with sleek, flowing fenders, a catchy vertical grille, and other nifty touches. At the time of release, the small pickup cost only $592 and put out a not-too-impressive 78 hp, obtained from a 3.5-liter in-line engine. Nevertheless, that Chevrolet vehicle had established itself as an extremely useful and reliable machine that perfectly performed its duties. Although these days, it looks like something from the classic Hollywood movies.

The El Camino V8 Pickup was worthy of a visit, if not a restaurant, then certainly a trendy diner. This Chevy truck tried to capture the elegance and flowing lines of the lowriders of the 1950s and 1960s. Modeled after the Ford Ranchero, it had excellent handling and the demeanor of a passenger sedan. Despite the rather catchy appearance, the El Camino remained a full-fledged truck. Its body boasted sufficient capacity, and, if necessary, a trailer could be added. The car was conceived in the “half sedan, half pickup” format and was well received by buyers, but rather quickly, this type of vehicle ceased to exist.

The El Camino SS is one of the most famous Chevrolet pickups of all time. The El Camino SS is essentially a sedan with a large trunk. With a 6.6-liter V8 under the hood and 350 or 375 horsepower (depending on engine modification), the owner was guaranteed the feeling of driving a muscle car. The El Camino SS looked like a party truck, but it turned out surprisingly practical. Carrying large loads, with relatively stable handling, it was perfectly balanced for everyday driving.

The SS (Super Sport) badge is not just another of hundreds of trims. This name belonged only to the most powerful models of the company, and the 454 SS certainly lived up to its name. Offering a 7.4-liter big block V8, it sent 230 hp to the rear wheels, proving its status as a muscle car among trucks. Despite its power and visual appeal, the 454 was small and simple in design. It didn't offer fancy features, was generally uncomplicated, and handled day-to-day tasks quite well.

In 2018, the Chevrolet pickup line celebrated its centenary, and the Silverado Centennial Edition was a worthy gift for fans of the brand. The trim included a unique steel blue paint job, the traditional bow tie logo front and rear, and an anniversary badge on the front doors. Under the hood was a popular 6.2-liter V8 that produced 420 hp. A great message to the ancestors of Chevy trucks, way back in 1918.

The Chevrolet Colorado is the little brother in the company's truck family, allowing the big brother, the Silverado, to do all the hard work. However, the Colorado is perfect for the average driver, rolling around cities and suburbs. The Colorado has everything one might need for hauling large loads and everyday driving. The standard ZR2 deserves special attention, thanks to its Multimatic off-road suspension and 310 horsepower. It is the best deal of any modern Chevrolet pickup in size and power.

By 2023, Chevrolet has accumulated vast experience and knows that consumers need strong, reliable, fast, and easy-to-use vehicles. All these qualities come together in the Chevrolet Silverado HD ZR2, the successor to the Chevy C/K line. It offers the features and comfort of any modern sedan or crossover, complemented by a cargo body, superior engine, and off-road capability. This generation Silverado is the first HD to receive the ZR2 nameplate. And while the lighter Silverado ZR2 puts out 420bhp, the HD version is capable of all the 470 hp coming from the 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 diesel.

And at the end of the list is Chevrolet's response to the Ford F-150 Lightning and RAM 1500 REV. The Silverado EV will be the company's first mass-produced electric truck that fans are sure to love for its bold design and the combination of incredible comfort with 4.5 tons of traction. Thanks to 754 hp and a maximum torque of 1,064 Nm, the huge Silverado EV accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Charging won't be a hassle either because, with a range of almost 400 miles, one can easily drive all week without worrying about the battery.

Chevrolet pickup trucks have proven their quality and reliability over the years. If you don’t want to wait for the new Silverado, you can always buy a used model at Indy Auto Man at a fraction of the price. Browse the inventory right now!